By Message Staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Gov. John Bel Edwards has extended his stay-at-home order through May 15, modifying it slightly but not lifting restrictions against public gatherings such as on-campus church services. During a news conference, Edwards announced that starting May 1 restaurants are allowed to permit customers to eat outdoors on patios but that there cannot be any table service. Similarly, shopping malls may operate curbside retail service, but workers who engage with customers must wear masks. Edwards said the decision was based upon data from the Louisiana Department of Health showing that on average new cases and hospitalizations have decreased statewide, but that there were still some areas of concern. Out of the nine regions in the state, Acadiana, Baton Rouge and Monroe have seen an increase in cases, and the Northshore has seen a plateau. Additionally, Baton Rouge and Monroe also have seen increases in hospitalizations and Shreveport-Bossier and the Southwest regions have seen a plateau. “Thanks to the commitment of the people of Louisiana, our state has made progress in flattening the curve and reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus,” Edwards said. “Unfortunately, we still have a little … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees has announced Jeffrey Steed as the ninth executive director of the organization. “It’s an honor to serve Louisiana Baptists,” Steed told the Baptist Message. “I have a passion for the work of the foundation that partners in ministry with churches and Baptists around the state to help advance the Kingdom.” The announcement followed a unanimous vote by the board of directors after careful consideration of Steed's nomination by a search committee comprised of board members and chaired by Pat LaCour, and a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. Steed succeeds Wayne Taylor, who retires as the foundation’s executive director in May. LaCour said Steed’s qualifications set him apart from a number of qualified applicants. “He has worked for two other Baptist foundations over the past two decades,” she said. “He has a heart for working with churches and for planned giving in support of Baptist causes. We look forward to working with him.” Bill Cunningham, president of the board and a member of Norris Ferry Community Church in Shreveport, added his strong approval. “We are most impressed with … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) — A photo of a woman in apparent pain and being transported by ambulance from an abortion clinic has raised concerns that an abortion clinic in New Orleans is operating despite a statewide ban on non-essential and non-emergency medical procedures. The incident could be further evidence of the need for Act 620, a state law being argued by the Louisiana Attorney General Office before the U.S. Supreme Court, that would require abortionists to obtain admitting privileges with a local hospital in case of complications for the woman patient during or after an abortion. In November last year a woman endured a botched abortion at a Baton Rouge abortion clinic and the complications resulted in her having to undergo a total hysterectomy. Her emergency surgery was cited as evidence in support of Act 620 during oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court in March. DISTURBING IMAGE Louisiana Right to Life posted the photo on April 21 and noted that the woman had been taken by stretcher from the Women’s Health Care Center in New Orleans. Ben Clapper, executive director for the pro-life organization, said that ongoing abortions there and at the other two facilities, … [Read more...]